International Comments

We'd like to hear from our International Co-workers. Please submit your comments about your employment at IBM, why you visited this site, if you have a union; how your union deals with workplace issues inside IBM, or any other related topic. We will publish selected comments.
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From Alliance@IBM: We have been receiving comments or posts to our comments sections with no messages in the message field, other than the words "test", "na", "none", and "dd". These comment sections (boards, forums) are not automatically updated. The comments are reviewed by our staff; prior to being posted. Any effort by visitors to get comments posted, such as those described, are a waste of time.
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Comment 09/6/08:
Country = MEXICO
Union Affiliate = NONE
Job Title = IT SPECIALIST
IBM Division = GTS
Message = Alguna opción de tomar como base su trabajo y empezar Unión en países de habla hispana como MEXICO? Lo necesitamos, hay una verdadera necesidad de hacer respetar nuestros derechos humanos y laborables en paises como MEXICO? Alguna Sugerencia???
Alliance reply: Sí tenemos que construir sindicatos a IBM en Mexico, así como América Central y del Sur. La organización de IBM en todo el mundo debe ser para mejor proteger y mejorar nuestros derechos, los salarios y la vida. En solidaridad!

Translation from ImTranslator 3.2: Some option to take his work as a base and to begin Union in countries of Hispanic speech as MEXICO? Do we need it, there is a real need to make to respect our human and working rights in countries as MEXICO? Some Suggestion? -MEXICANO-
Alliance reply: Yes we need to build IBM unions in Mexico and Central and South America. The organization of IBM worldwide must be to better protect and enhance our rights, wages and life. In solidarity!
Comment 09/3/08:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA 1701
Job Title = Sr. I/T Specialist
IBM Division = 1K
Message = To IBM Flightdeck in Baulkham Hills NSW, Australia: Keep up the fight! I am in solidarity with all of you; we are all in the fight for fairness from IBM together. I hope IBM finally agrees to sit down at the table and bargain collectively in good faith with you. -sby_willie-
Comment 08/13/08:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = yes
Job Title = build
IBM Division = server
Message = Hello, Lean is starting in my area .They want more work for less . Most of us got no pay rise and they expect more. So bring on the lean process and lets see it fail. -peter-
Comment 07/29/08:
Country = Eire
Union Affiliate = No
Job Title = Slave
IBM Division = Server
Message = Received Cip which is to only affect PBC 1 and a few 2+. No information about how much for those people. Excuse is because of the way the economy is going despite record profits for the company. Wonder where all that money is going. Any info? -Exploited-
Comment 07/22/08:
Salary = 2660€ PER MONTH
Band Level = PRG 6
Job Title = PROJECT MANAGER
Years Service = 22
Hours/Week = 35
Div Name = GTS
Location = FRANCE
Message = We never work 35 H/W, the réality is 40.. But 35 is a law. -lomelet-
Alliance Reply: Do you belong to a works council or union, where you work?
Comment 7/19/08:
Country = UK
Union Affiliate = No
Job Title = Moral Compass detractor
IBM Division = AS
Message = http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/18/ibm_q2_2008_earnings/comments/ Its not getting any better in Europe either. Its a war of attrition now, and the good people are being affected! -Anonymous-
Comment 7/16/08:
Location = UK
Message = Hi All. From the UK. B8 Payrise this year 1% despite a PBC1 for the last few years running. I'm still way below Market Rate after 10 years in IBM and 10 years of the same "high performance culture" chat from different 1LMs. I'm outta here - word is they WANT people to quit! Well, they've got their dream with me! Anyone in UK recommend a good agency or two??? Thanks. -JustFedUpWithItAll-
Comment 07/10/08: Being a female Graduate Engineer and IT professional who had worked for IBM for several years, I was targeted by lower paid IBM Managers who wanted to keep their jobs. It's the height of hypocrisy of IBM to say that they are looking for "Experienced Professionals in Australia" when the management only wants low-paid, and inexperienced 20 year olds to "manage", so that the uneducated 30 year old line managers can keep their jobs! They laid off their most valuable assets -- Experienced Professionals. http://www-07.ibm.com/employment/au/ep/ IBM is just another profit hungry amoral company struggling to survive in the greedy IT market of today. -Anonymous-
Comment 06/27/08:
Salary = 5000
Band Level = bachelor
Job Title = translator
Years Service = 0.5year
Hours/Week = 20
Div Name = xiaoqi
Location = china
Message = you can say this you can say that but you can say nothing without evidence -Anonymous-
Comment 06/27/08:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA
Job Title = I/T Specialist
IBM Division = GBS
Message = To Amazed from Japan: In the USA I got a 15% base pay cut in February which put me about $2000 USA under the band 08 minimum for geography for I/T Specialist (about $65,000 or so, the band minimum is higher than this). I was rated a PBC 2+ too. I reckon I would be better off working in IBM Japan :) IBM can do anything it wants in the global scheme of things without a strong global union presence. -IT paycut test resource-
Comment 06/24/08:
Location = IBM Japan
Message = Reliable source says that "without exception" everyone rated either 3 or 4 at IBM Japan is getting a 5-10 percent pay cut. I have at least one confirmed data point for this. Rumour has it that salary can even be reduced below the "minimum pay" for the band. Huh?!?!? -Amazed-
Comment 6/24/08:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA 1701
Job Title = I/T Specialist
IBM Division = 1K
Message = The IBM executive bastards used IBM Ireland until China was ready for the IBM global initiatives. No doubt about it! They don't call the preferred IBM countries they offshore//move/expand business BRIC for nothing and we all know the"I" is for India and not Ireland. -Joe A Beamer-
Comment 6/02/08:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = none
Job Title = secret
IBM Division = secret
Message = What's happening in Ireland is that the tax breaks IBM got from the Republic of Ireland have expired - never mind that once that contract was signed IBM tried to reduce the level of promised jobs and to reduce the level of those jobs. For the last 10 years IBM has done whatever it could to weasel out of their contractual agreement to screw over the Irish government. Once again "the most ethical company in the world" (cough, cough) is run by a bunch of con men and thugs. -Frank-
Comment 5/31/08:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = NA123
Job Title = Operations
IBM Division = server
Message = Hi All,
As im sure you are all aware the dublin plant is losings its I/P series assembly operations to china. We have been predicting this for the last 2 years. It looks like the end is coming. We have been told Jan 09 with a major announcement due in october....so guys any info pls reply.... -Cisco101-
Comment 3/31/08:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = No
Job Title = No
IBM Division = No
Message = Heads up in Eastern Europe: http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Technology/10201254.html -BlueBlows-
Comment 3/12/08:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = n/aJob
Title = Ireland
IBM Division = SERVER
Message = Well boys and girls; 2 co-workers fired in the space of a few days.One appealed and was re-instated.Is this all falling in with ( lean ) we see the damage it has done in the USA and as you know this has now been introducted into server in dublin,so how long have we left!? It looks like they will get rid of the weak and layoff the rest. If any of you guys have contact with our fallen friend tell HIM/HER to appeal immediatly even if nothing happens at least fight. 8 years down the drain!and for what! well done IBM! -Cisco101-
Comment 1/26/08:
Country = any
Union Affiliate = none
Job Title = any
IBM Division = any
Message = Any thought on organizing a virtual strike on the web to protest the 15% base pay cut to USA IBMers on the IBM islands by avatars? The virtual strike seemed to work with the IBM Italy situation so maybe it might be the rub here too! -Anonymous-
Alliance reply: Do you know how many IBMers use Second Life, here in the States? How popular is it, among USA IBMers?
Comment 1/26/08:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA Local 1701
Job Title = I/T Specialist
IBM Division = 07
Message = I remember hearing in the USA this: "... Ireland is a growing economy, business friendly, and is attracting big business due to a vibrant and skilled workforce..." . So IBM goes over and expands it's Irish operations which makes good business sense. It ultimately is like IBM uses/used Ireland as an interim place to start growing in the global economy until the BRIC's were ready to be infiltrated. Now that the BRIC's are "ready" then they are totally sold on India, China, Brazil, Russia, and now Vietnam. So where does that put Ireland now? So Ireland gets treated quite similar to the USA. Like in the USA now IBM is outsourcing IBM Ireland. Shame on IBM. Not good business sense IBM. Also it makes all your investment in Ireland a real sham.. -Anonymous-
Comment 1/23/08:
Country = Canada
Union Affiliate = CEP 525G
Job Title = Exec Asst
IBM Division = Don't work for IBM
Message = I wish you luck in your endeavours. Mismanagement of IBM has cost all of us, including former users of OS/2 like myself a lot of money and effort. Best wishes from Canada -Anonymous-
Comment 1/23/08:
Country = UK
Union Affiliate = n/a
Job Title = 3rd level network
IBM Division = NSD
Message = Whilst I sympathise with some of those that are upset about the move from NSD into AT&T , I for one cannot wait. I have been with IBM 5 years from a previous TUPE into IBM, and IBM has been the worst large corporate I have ever worked for. If you have been with IBM many years, I understand the concern, as you are on far better packages than I and other younger members of staff. However the detail that I have seen from AT&T has convinced me that its the best move for me, and ta ta IBM. Good luck to all those affected, but in time I think like others I know, IBM is not the be all and end all, and there are better opportunities to be had elsewhere. -ANON UK-
Comment 1/17/08:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = ireland
Job Title = ireland
IBM Division = server
Message = YAWN! I say yawn because when I actually YAWN you just dont get it! GUYS give it up! the end is nearly here! who sent this comment in? is it Bartricia? we all want to know! -cisco101-
WE ARE THE ROOTS OF THE TREE. LOSE THE ROOTS YOU LOSE THE TREE. WHICH IS NOT A GOOD THING FOR A TREE THAT HAS A LOT OF BRANCHS REACHING OUT TO THE WORLD. SO START STANDING UP AND GET WHAT YOU DESERVE OUT OF A MULTI BULLION DOLLAR COMPANY. WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY A COMPANY EMPLOYS AND LAY OFFS OF STAFF IN THE BASEMENT. IT'S LIKE THIS: IF ONE IS BEING PUSHED OUT OR TREATED BADLY BY THE COMPANY, THE REST OF US LAY DOWN TOOLS AND PROTECT THAT WORKER. WE ARE A FAMILY AND WE SHOULD PROTECT OUR FAMILY. IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS CALLED INTO THE OFFICE AND THREATENED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO THE FAMILY AND THE FAMILY WILL FIGHT AS ONE. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL. ITS UP TO US -Anonymous-
Comment 1/13/08: Argentine IBM retired link: send to you our link: http://www.retiradosibm.com.ar Regards, -Ruben-
Alliance reply: Gracias Rueben. Fijaremos su eslabón aquí en este comenta la sección; así como en nuestras páginas Web Internacionales. Ellos son: http: // www.allianceibm.org/iwisindex.htm y
http: // www.allianceibm.org/unions.htm.
Por favor envíe su correo electrónico directamente a iwisweb@endicottalliance.org
En Solidaridad,
Almiar Blanco
Alliance@IBM
CWA 1701 Local
www.allianceibm.org
Comment 1/9/07:
Country = Canada
Union Affiliate = NO
Job Title = Support Spec.
IBM Division = ITD/NSD Canada
Message = IBM US NSD employees will be joining AT&T on Feb1, does anyone know about a Canadian move? -Future AT&T employee-
Comment 1/9/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = no
Job Title = manufacturing operative
IBM Division = ireland
Message = Who are we?. Do the big boys & girls know who we are?. Do we know who we are?
This is what a company owner wants:
A product that will sell and make them big bucks. They need people do design the product. They need companies willing to buy the product. They need people to sell the product.
THEY NEED PEOPLE TO BUILD THE PRODUCT. US.
THE BASEMENT WORKERS WHO ARE NOT RECOGNISED.
THE DESIGNER GETS RECOGNITION.
THE SALES PEOPLE GET RECOGNITION.
THE BOSS'S GET FAT WALLETS. WE GET LAID OFF.
WE GET ALL THE EXTRA HOURS AND SACRAFICE TIME AT HOME WITH THE FAMILY.
ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS. WE DO NOT GET A BONUS.
WE DO NOT GET A RISE. WE ARE NOT RECOGNISED.
YES THE MANAGERS MAY SEND OUT A THANK YOU NOTE TO EVERY ONE: BUT WE ARE NOT INDIVIDUALLY RECOGNISED BY THE BOSS'S. WE PRODUCE THE PRODUCT THAT THEY ARE SELLING. IF WE MAKE A BALLS UP OF THE PRODUCT NO ONE GETS ANYTHING. THE BOSS, THE DESIGNERS, THE SALES TEAMS AT THE END OF THE DAY RELY ON US THE BASEMENT WORKERS TO BUILD THE PRODUCT TO 100% SPEC IN ORDER TO GET PAID. AFTER THE COMPANY HAS PAID ITS OVERHEADS IT STILL HAS A VERY LARGE PROFIT. A PROFIT THAT COULD BE USED TO GIVE US A DECENT WAGE. REMEBER NO ONE WANTS TO BUY A PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT WORK. SO THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION AT THE BEGINNING OF ALL THIS IS:
WE ARE THE ROOTS OF THE TREE. LOSE THE ROOTS YOU LOSE THE TREE. WHICH IS NOT A GOOD THING FOR A TREE THAT HAS A LOT OF BRANCHS REACHING OUT TO THE WORLD. SO START STANDING UP AND GET WHAT YOU DESERVE OUT OF A MULTI BULLION DOLLAR COMPANY. WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY A COMPANY EMPLOYS AND LAY OFFS OF STAFF IN THE BASEMENT. IT'S LIKE THIS: IF ONE IS BEING PUSHED OUT OR TREATED BADLY BY THE COMPANY, THE REST OF US LAY DOWN TOOLS AND PROTECT THAT WORKER. WE ARE A FAMILY AND WE SHOULD PROTECT OUR FAMILY. IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS CALLED INTO THE OFFICE AND THREATENED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO THE FAMILY AND THE FAMILY WILL FIGHT AS ONE. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL. ITS UP TO US. -Anonymous-
Comment 1/5/07:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = yes
Job Title = eol
IBM Division = server
Message = Hi All, I find these last few comments very interesting as they seem to coming from manufacturing. But I will state on the record that IBM did have a very bad Quarter from a manufacturing point of view in Dublin. Software continues to expand and get better but from an I/P and Z point of view its not looking too great.What do you people expect? To get a memo saying sales in server are down? Come on now of course not. We will always get the same B.S about how great the quarter was. Do people really think that the USA will be the only people affected by whats going on? We need to stand firm with our brothers & sisters in the USA. Lets join a union and at least give people more time. Lets put up a fight. I can see layoffs in the forseable future and Ijust hope everyone is ready when the worst happens. P.S in reference to Cicso: people are not afraid to stand up, people just dont care anymore, they have given up the fight. -Sandra-
Comment 1/3/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = yes
Job Title = slave
IBM Division = server
Message = The fourth quarter is the worst Ihave seen it in 5 years. We finish our orders 4 days before the end of year. My manager said it was the best so far , with 500 units shipped of main frame servers. But out of that 500, at least 157 were returned. Its time to wake up and give us a chance of a better future by reducing its staff levels .We want to go; but I'm not going until I have a pocket full of cash. joe. -sony-
Comment 1/2/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = eire
Job Title = hawwwwwwwy
IBM Division = server
Message = IBM is a disgrace....more people here need to stand and speak up instead of the usual suspects. Guys, believe what you want to believe but server is in deep trouble. Expect serious things to go down in first 6 months of this year.....Guys, its nearly game over! Q4 was the worst Q4 I have seen in 5 or 6 years...IBM R.I.P ..........anyone with any info please reply. We need to know what's going on in this shell of a company, CU at the U.E.L ( unemployment line) peace out...cisco -Cisco101-
Comment 12/28/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = ireland
Job Title = server
IBM Division = server
Message = yep 100% spot on.this place is gone gone gone the ring of fire the ring of fire. bring on 2008 new job no more ibm heh heh -Cisco101-
Comment 12/27/07:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = server
Job Title = engineer dept.
IBM Division = server
Message = Hi guys, this is an unreal time in dublin...warehouse full with cancel's and no orders, HE is dead and I would say the end is here...no way it can continue.........IBM is a joke....well guys happy new year as it may be the last in IBM, ANYONE AGREE -Anonymous-
Comment 11/21/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA Local 1701
Job Title = Sr. I/T Specialist
IBM Division = does it really matter? It keeps changes like the weather.
Message = "Alliance reply: The following is the IBM policy on Unions" : But does this apply in the USA? I don't think so at all! IBM management in the USA continually breaks USA labor laws pertaining to organizing workers. Only in Europe where there are existing trade unions and work counsels does this apply. The freedom of associating is a crock of crap and IBM for saying so, knows it! This is their political wordspeak. Ask McDonald or Palmisano about the Alliance and see if you get an honest response. Sad, but true. -Anonymous-
Comment 11/1/07:
Country = Ireland/Uk
Union Affiliate = USA
Job Title = SERVER
IBM Division = SERVER
Message = Re:cisco..You are 50% right. IBM does not stop people from joining a union; however as per your comments..IBM states it does not recognise unions and we would be wasting our time and money by joining one in Ireland...we need to just suck it up a bit longer.......... dave
Alliance reply: The following is the IBM policy on Unions:
Freedom of association
IBM will respect the legal rights of its employees to join or to refrain from joining worker organizations, including labor organizations or trade unions. IBM complies with legal requirements worldwide regarding employee and third-party involvement. IBM respects the rights of employees to organize, and makes managers at all levels aware of those rights. The company's long-standing belief is that the interests of IBM and its employees are best served through a favorable, collaborative work environment with direct communication between employees and management. IBM endeavors to establish such favorable employment conditions, to promote positive relationships between employees and managers, to facilitate employee communications, and to support employee development.
Comment 10/25/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA Local 1701
Job Title = Sr. I/T Specialist
IBM Division = I think 1K (it'll invariably change with the next reorg..
Message = Cisco- keep fighting IBM! Don't give up. A case in point is what IBMers in Italy have done with the virtual strike. I'll support whatever action the IBMers in Ireland want to take. We all have to stand united since we know how united IBM is as a global empire that is now against us. -sby_willie-
Comment 10/18/07:
Country = Canada
Union Affiliate = I only wish I were
Job Title = PPQA Process Owner
IBM Division = AMS
Message = I was forcefully retired in June 2005. I was given health care benefits as part of the severance package but found out as of Sept 1, 2005 that something was wrong when I submitted my presciption receipts. At the time, the employee services help desk was in Alberta. Some time between September and the new year, the help desk was offshored to Costa Rica. In total frustration I contacted the insurance provider and found out that when retired, the individual (probably the PDM) entered two conflicting codes into the HR system: one that indicated I was retired, and one that indicated I was terminated. The insurance provider had created a health care account for me, but because their system codes indicated I was terminated, they couldn't pay any bills. When in March 2006, I still had not been able to sort this out I sent an email to the IBM employee services help desk and copied the IBM contact at Sun Life and threatened legal action. The Sun Life employee phoned IBM Canada and essentially told them what was going on. According to the HR employee at IBM Canada,"Costa Rica was not talking to IBM Canada". At the same time, my dearly beloved husband died of bone cancer. In short, my happy retirement from IBM has been a complete nightmare. Now, over two years later, because the problem wasn't sorted out on their system until the end of March 2006, I expect that due to the same error, IBM did not issue the correct tax forms to me. In fact, I have never yet received a T4A form from IBM but Revenue Canada (equiv to the IRS) certainly has and now the refund I received in 2006 has to be paid back. I had no idea I was missing any tax forms. I was not trying to hide anything from the tax man, I gave them everything I had received at the time. This is now costing me dearly. Is there no justice for employees who have been treated so poorly? -Anonymous-
Comment 10/17/07:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = CWA Local 1701
Job Title = training
IBM Division = server group
Message = We have listened and you guys are right its just we see whats going on in the U.S.A and we feel for you guys but in dublin 99.999% of staff want IBM to do what we all know they are gonna do and go to asia...we have given up the fight -cisco-
Comment 10/11/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA Local 1701
Job Title = Sr. I/T Specialist
IBM Division = 1K
Message = IBM Italia: I for one am behind you completely and in solidarity! IBM is not showing good faith to you! Give IBM hell until they wise up. -sby_willie-
Comment 10/09/07: I have heard from management that transition to AT&T will be done by January, but I wouldn't place bets the way communication around this has gone. -ibm canada-
Comment 10/07/07: About 1500 will be moved from IBM to AT&T in Europe. -IBM-Europe-
Comment 10/05/07:
Country = Great Britain
Union Affiliate = None
Job Title = IT Specialist
IBM Division = GTS
Message = GTS management are unofficially advising people of a large number of packages in the UK expected early 2008, putting names forward of those interested in voluntary redundancy. -Count me out-
Comment 10/05/07:
Country = Eire
Union Affiliate = na
Job Title = na
IBM Division = na
Message = RIGHT TO FORM AND JOIN UNIONS in Ireland
Ireland’s Constitution, Article 40.6.1(iii), guarantees the “right of citizens to form” unions and associations. Irish law does not limit with the number, form, or the type of possible unions; unions have a right to control their internal affairs without government interference. Ireland’s employment laws apply equally to both nationals and legally resident non-nationals. Thus, there are no bars for legal residents to participate in any aspect of union affairs. -Irish union yes-
Comment 10/05/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = none
Job Title = worried
IBM Division = isc
Message = listen alliance, we were always told since that day we started in this company that we were not allowed to join a union. in fact we were threatened with the sack if they found we were in a union. now all this news is appearing about outsourcing, can you please advise what if anything can we do, thanks. -worried-
Alliance reply: Just because IBM told you not to join a union doesn't mean you can't. You should contact an Ireland union immediately and tell them what IBM has said. What IBM is saying might be against Irish labor law. Your best protection is all of you getting together and organizing.
Comment 10/03/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = ireland
Job Title = ireland
IBM Division = server
Message = well we see that the big blue has signed a deal with at&t in relation to outsourcing...from ireland we just dont care anymore about this company as they show a blatent disregard for all its employees ...good luck to ibm in india -ted d'egatta-
Comment 09/18/07:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = n
Job Title = TECH.Lead
IBM Division = ISG
Message = Guys, No one knows whats going on but things not looking too good. I heard I.D.A are working hard to try and save jobs in IBM, Dublin but does'nt look too good, looks like at end is coming -S.Mc-
Comment 09/11/07: Ibm , N'est plus cette belle compagnie..C'est fini..A bromont, les gens sont fatigués, il n'y a plus rien de drole.. Nous, ils engagent des temporaires, ca coute moins cher..Pis les permanents...on a plus rien ,a part le stress.. -Anonyme-
Comment 09/11/07:
Country = Wales
Union Affiliate = na
Job Title = na
IBM Division = na
Message = VIRGIN MEDIA CENTRE JOBS THREAT Up to 64 jobs at a Swansea call centre are claimed to have been axed. The workers at Virgin Media's Matrix Court offices on Swansea Enterprise Park are said to have been given 30 days' notice to be laid off with more to follow.
Virgin Media has said the jobs are related to an area of work carried out for it by IBM
IBM has confirmed some jobs are now surplus to requirements, but refused to confirm numbers.
One upset employee spoke of the perceived "awful way staff have been treated here at Virgin Media".
The employee added: "Today, most of the management have also been given notice . . . no valid reason has been given for the staff cutbacks but we have been told not to repeat this to anyone outside of the company which seems quite strange to all of us."
A spokeswoman for Virgin Media said: "It is a decision IBM has made. They are a separate company."
A spokesman for IBM said: "In relation to the IBM action, we are constantly rebalancing our workforce in support of the ongoing needs of our business and those of our clients. "This is quite a normal process of balancing resources. "There are a number of individuals who have been issued with statements saying that the roles that they currently undertake are no longer required and now we are going to be entering into a period of consultation with those employees."
He declined to confirm the number of redundancies at 64, but said:"The number I have got is much less than that. We don't want to talk in specifics."
Last October the call centre in Swansea Enterprise Park was seeking an additional 200 employees.
It came as ntl, Telewest and Virgin Mobile introduced what was hailed as a "ground-breaking new package" which promised to cut household bills by up to £400 a year. -Anon-
Comment 09/10/07:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = dave
Job Title = production planner
IBM Division = server
Message = Hi Guys, we had a meeting today. IBM expects to move 95% of low end into high end z series positions before q4. Our manager has stated no layoffs, but can we believe him? Can anyone shed any light on whats going on! please. Nice one! -Concerned-
Comment 09/01/07:
Country = iRELAND
Union Affiliate = IRELAND
Job Title = Q.E
IBM Division = Server Group
Message = just with reference to what Joe stated below. He is 100% correct and I dont think anyone in the Dublin plant would disagree that. And its the people sitting around getting rewarded not the few people that do the work.I have to say this situation has been going on for i would say nearly 2 years.and IBM can pull all the stunts they want but we will not leave this company and when we finally do it will be via redunancy ,anyone who thinks IBM cares and will not layoff staff in the next 6 to 8 months needs a reality check and I believe one is coming sooner than later....cheers, -Dec T.-
Comment 08/31/07:
Country = IRELAND
Union Affiliate = YES
Job Title = bored ibm employee
IBM Division = Server Group
Message = In the IBM plant in Dublin 15, there is no work to be done. As many as half the staff sit around all day playing on the internet. At the end of last quarter which was not busy at all, most of the systems in all
areas were canceled before they shipped. The lean project is on the second step on the ladder. This means who can ibm cut from the teams without cutting production. Since their aim for the last two years are to get rid of the permanent staff , low pbc and pay rises and to fill the positions with contract workers or dont fill the positions at all. Most of the staff are holding on and digging in against ibm actions.We are not holding on for our jobs; we are holding on for redundancy.The information that the team lead has given on the 08/31/07...how can I believe you! You are only a Team lead and how would you know this information. When the jobs cuts do come it will be the last time I work for ibm. -JOE-
Comment 08/31/07:
Country = Ireland
Union Affiliate = Server Group
Job Title = Team leader
IBM Division = Server Group
Message = Guys, in relation to what has been said before. There are no layoffs planned for manufacturing in dublin so all the rumours are untrue! I just want to say that maybe IBM will decide to change things in the latter part of 2008.I welcome anyone with other information to speak up! thanks guys -Anonymous-
Comment 08/22/07:
 Country = eire
Union Affiliate = -
Job Title = engineering
IBM Division = server group
Message = Hi, just a note, no layoffs in Dublin. All we hear is rumour. As usual no one knows what happening, in relation to job losses. We fear this could occur in the next 6 to 8 months when Low end P finally goes to china. -Anonymous-
Comment 08/21/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = build
Job Title = leader
IBM Division = server
Message = hi, guys, just heard 450 layoffs planned for dubin plant by end of october this year..any info on this -Cisco-
Comment 08/10/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = All
Job Title = Concerned IBMer
IBM Division = Prefer to stay anonymous
Message = I highly encourage members to get this book -- not only did I find it a great read, but it has a chapter on the brutality of layoffs at IBM, advocating the need for different, more humane, approaches to leadership within the company: http://www.trafford.com/06-1721 -Prefer to stay anonymous-
Comment 08/08/07:
Country = ireland
Union Affiliate = sksk
Job Title = kdkdk
IBM Division = server
Message = in reply to peter..ibm is not taking xerox staff...the work from xerox is going over seas -cisco-
Comment 08/02/07:
Country = UK
Union Affiliate = n/aJob
Title = IT Specialist
IBM Division = IGS
Message = to peter, re Xerox employees... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/02/ibm_xerox_redundancies/ - stop bailing out the water guys, she's a sinking ship -outta here-
Comment 07/06/07:
Country = uk
Union Affiliate = n/a
Job Title = IT
IBM Division = uk
Message = FOLKS, In ireland 900 jobs are to be created by ibm. Xerox to switch half of staff to IBM .They are a call centre and sales. If so many are been switch from one company to another that someone is going to get fired. the nose. -peter-
Comment 07/02/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = CWA
Job Title = IT Admin
IBM Division = SWG
Message = To Anonymous: You say you have folks interested. You say you need to know how the union is going to help you. Your interest should include a commitment to make an effort to organize others. The union can help you when you are willing to help others understand that a contract can only be had if the union has a seat at the bargaining table. That won't happen until the employees show a unity and prove to IBM that they will not stand by and let IBM take their jobs, their livelihoods, and their way of life and send it to China , India, Brasil, the Ukraine, etc. That takes effort on the part of the employees. Alliance@IBM has been here since 1999; making contacts and sending out fliers , information, organzing techniques, and setting up conference calls and meetings with members and prospective members. Everytime someone asks the question that you have asked; some of us members roll our eyes--no disrespect intended--because we see that you don't understand one basic premise of a union: The union is YOU. The effort to organize IBM employees has to come from the employees. That's why I joined Alliance@IBM in 1999. I wanted to tell everyone in IBM that I knew, that we have an alternative to accepting what IBM does to us. The biggest misunderstanding of all is that people think the union will walk in the IBM location, announce to the employees that they are there and that they can go back to work as union members; all protected from the tactics of IBM management. Nothing could be further from reality than that. We have to WORK for it. Work for it means talking, meeting, emailing, and otherwise communicating with co-workers who agree that a union is the right thing for IBMers. As a member I assumed that other members were doing what I was doing... Organizing! However, it seems the discussion stage has lasted longer than it should have. If you don't know the answers, you are doing the right thing by visiting this web site. If you don't find the answers here, you need to contact the Alliance@IBM officers or staff. Once you get the answers you seek, you then need to act one way or the other. IBM used to have a policy of "Lead, follow, or get out of the way". That policy always seemed harsh to me.. but I do see a way to apply that to organizing a union in IBM. We must take some steps toward leadership and do something. These discussions are great; but soon if we don't act collectively, there will be no strength among us to act at all. I don't mean to be harsh here; just matter of fact. IBM plays hardball. The only way we stay in the game is to do the same. That starts with collective effort . To paraphrase "The Shawshank Redemption" movie line: "Get busy organizing or get busy losing your job". -Alliance member-
Comment 0701/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = member alliance@ibm
Job Title = Senior I/T Architect
IBM Division = IGS
Message = Union: I think this basically sums up how some of us feel about unions. This is probably why there aren't more folks signing up. We're looking for concrete examples of how a union can help us. I have a few friends who were dues paying members of the union over at at&t. (They were the ibm group that went to at&t when the network was sold). Their jobs were off-shored and the union was not able to do anything to stop it, or negotiate a better settlement for them. This is why we're asking questions now. Please don't take it the wrong way, you've got folks interested. Now, if we can see concrete examples of how the union has helped others, we'd have more folks signing on the dotted line. -Anonymous-
Alliance reply: We have put concrete examples of union contracts and how a union can help IBM employees through a union contract on the web site. We have also sent out thousand of flyers on this very same issue. The contracts have been on our web site a long time. Everyone needs to explore our web site more and not just the comments sections. In regard to the AT&T situation; CWA negotiated the RETURN of many jobs. Try doing that in IBM WITHOUT a union.
How much longer are employees going to debate the issue of whether or not a union and a contract is a good idea and helpful to employees? We have put the information out there for all to see. If you don't act and sign up the situation stays the same. It really is a simple proposition.
Comment 06/29/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = NoneJob
Title = Senior IT Architect
IBM Division = IGS
Message = I agree with WAITING-FOR-THE-AXE. I fail to see what good this meeting will accomplish. Since LEAN is only affecting North america folks, why wasn't this meeting held in the US or Canada? There are
plenty of nice vacation spots in the US and Canada. Of course, the only way offshoring will stop is if you get an agreement with the countries that are supplying the services, and that is not going to happen. It's all about corporate GREED people, and GREED it prevalent in everyplace in the world. -Anonymous- Alliance reply: LEAN is not only affecting US employees. Other countries are affected as well. The meeting as we have said before is held in Paris because it was organized and paid for by 2 French Unions and almost all of the unions are from Europe. This comment continues in a negative path that nothing can be done. The meeting just finished and our reports arent even out yet; and we have naysayers..
Comment 06/28/07: I am an IBMer, not line managment but also not American (I am in Australia). I monitor your site since it helps me to know what is going on in the broader company. We face the same threat here. My question is - what can the union do? This is an international issue, and the union appears only to operate in the US. We know IBM is playing hardball with employees in some countries. We also know the market is playing hardball with IBM. What is the real solution? -Fingerbun-
Alliance Reply: You are correct. Alliance@IBM is based in the US and does not operate in Australia; However, there are two unions in your country that may be able to answer your questions. Please go to our "IBM Unions Worldwide" link: http://www.allianceibm.org/unions.htm.
There are two unions listed for Australia. If you contact them, please mention that you received their link from Alliance@IBM. We are also going to post your comments on our International Comments section, and hope you will continue to post there as well. We do not publish anyone's email or name unless they give us permission.
Comment 06/26/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = member alliance@ibm
Job Title = Senior I/T Architect
IBM Division = IGS
Message = I will be interested to see what happens at this meeting. I'm a little confused as to what can possibly be accomplished by talking about 'lean'. Will it be a gripe session? Or will our european counterparts discuss how they will handle LEAN when it arrives on their shore? -waiting for the ax-
Comment 06/17/07:
Country = USA
Union Affiliate = nope
Job Title = Tech Services Prof
IBM Division = 07
Message = So at this Paris meeting, what are you hoping the end goal is? What do you hope to accomplish? I'm sure everyone will agree on things, but what will get done?-none-
Alliance reply: We are hoping for more cooperation and action among the worldwide Unions. What will get done? We will tell you when the meeting is over. By the way you stated as union affiliation "nope". I take it you haven't joined the Alliance? What are you waiting for--your last day at IBM?